Domestic composters

Abstract

A domestic composter of molded plastic has an upwardly tapered body comprising an upper and a lower half, with tongue and socket connectors such that the two halves may be firmly assembled together or separated without the use of tools. The upper half fits readily within the lower half, permitting transportation of the composter within a standard size automobile. The tapered construction enables multiples of the respective body portions to be nested, for economical bulk transportation. An access door is provided, having securing lugs that may be padlocked, and the removable lid of the composter may be rotated into a selectively variable position that precludes removal and affords ventilation control. The lid may be readily removed, or may be electively opened to a partial-access position for one-handed depositing of waste therein. A comprehensive vent system allows controlled cooling and ventilation while precluding access even to small animals such as mice. Screw-down earth anchors may be used to anchor the composter to the ground, or over a plain base plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A domestic composter structure for composting organic waste, having an upwardly tapered lower portion, an upwardly tapered upper portion sized, when reversed to fit within said lower portion to enable shipment of the composter within a passenger car when dis-assembled, said lower portion having an upper edge joint portion and said upper portion having a lower edge joint portion, said joint portions when solely manually assembled forming a locked joint composter construction. 
     
     
       2. The composter structure as set forth in claim 1, said joint portions being manually dis-assemblable without the use of tools. 
     
     
       3. The composter structure as set forth in claim 2, the lower and upper ends, respectively of said lower and upper portions having ventilation apertures therein. 
     
     
       4. The composter structure as set forth in claim 1 including lid means enclosing said upper portion, including catch means, in use to retain said lid when in a first oriented position, and in a second oriented condition to permit selective full or partial removal of said lid. 
     
     
       5. The composter structure as set forth in claim 4, said composter upper portion having an inwardly directed upper peripheral lip having a plurality of recesses therein for passage of said catch means therethrough. 
     
     
       6. The composter structure as set forth in claim 5, said lid means having a plurality of ventilation louvers, located adjacent said catch means, in use to bring said catch means into engaged, latched relation with said composter upper portion, on canting of said lid to a partially open position. 
     
     
       7. The composter structure as set forth in claim 4, said composter upper portion including a top collar portion having a plurality of ventilation apertures therein; said lid means having a plurality of flares selectively movable into a desired degree of registry with said collar ventilation apertures on rotation of said lid means about the polar axis thereof, for controlled ventilation of the composter. 
     
     
       8. The composter structure as set forth in claim 1, including a supported flange located at the bottom edge of said lower portion, and ventilation aperture means in said supported flange, in use to admit ventilation air to the interior of said structure. 
     
     
       9. The composter structure as set forth in claim 1, said lower portion including an access hatch, and securable door means therefor. 
     
     
       10. The composter structure as set forth in claim 1, said upper portion and said lower portion each having cross ventilation apertures therein, said apertures being laterally sized to substantially preclude the access of rodents therethrough. 
     
     
       11. The composter structure as set forth in claim 1, said edge joint portions including a peripheral channel of substantially U-form cross-section, to receive an adjacent peripheral edge portion of the other composter portion in entered relation therein, said other portion having a plurality of tongue connectors for entry within said U-form section; said U-form section having a plurality of socket apertures therein to receive said tongue connectors in entered relation therein. 
     
     
       12. The composter structure as set forth in claim 11, at least some of said tongue connectors each including a tip portion to engage a said socket aperture, to lock said upper portion to said lower portion; said tongue connectors, in use being manually disengagable from said socket apertures on the application of a moderate lateral slap against said composter upper portion.